Unable to install v 1.8

[quill]

Hello.  Very new to minecraft and trying to download this so my son can access some mods.  Unfortunately, we are running version 1.8.3 of minecraft, so I downloaded the version for 1.8, and I keep getting an error when I try to client install that says "You need to run version 1.8 manually at least once." 

 

I have run the game all the way to playing it as instructed, but it still gives me the error.  Does it not work with 1.8.3?

[LexManos]

What makes you think that 1.8 is the same as 1.8.3?

Follow the instructions and run 1.8.

[quill]

My apologies, but I don't understand that answer.  I assumed that the minecraftforge designed for minecraft 1.8 would work with whatever small updates they made for 1.8.3.  Are you saying I need to rollback the version of minecraft I am running to version 1.8 instead of 1.8.3? If so, I have no idea how to do that.

[legomom]

I am chuckling b/c here I am trying to do the same thing for my 9-yr old son today - and thinking of how many other parents in the world are doing the same thing every other day of the week. lol!

 

Anyway - We just bought minecraft about a month or so ago and the only versions listed under profiles are 1.8.1  1.8.2  and <Latest Version> which is what has been running (1.8.3) -  So, not sure how to get 1.8 so I can get Forge, but my kid who has not cleaned his room in MONTHS was HIGHLY motivated to spend all day yesterday cleaning so that he could download a few Mods (if I can figure out how to do it) and I know this is the first step.

 

Oi vey! The love we have for our kiddos! BTW - I love your "verification" questions...

[quill]

Success has been achieved!  I really appreciate the help. I am an old man with little kids, so I am a bit slow with this new fangled technology.

 

Now if you will excuse me, I have children to chase off of my lawn.

[legomom]

I just tried changing versions again today and all of them were listed as in the screenshot posted. Who knows what the deal was yesterday when there was no scrollbar there, but yes - today I was able to change versions no problem.